AD 2011-11-05

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. That AD currently requires an inspection to determine if a certain fuel pump housing electrical connector is installed. The existing AD also requires a revision to the FAA-approved airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of the appropriate procedures for disabling certain fuel pump electrical circuits following failure of a fuel pump housing electrical connector if applicable. The existing AD also requires the deactivation of certain fuel tanks or fuel pumps and the installation of placards if applicable. The existing AD allows the optional replacement of the fuel pump housing electrical connectors with new, improved parts, which would terminate the AFM revisions, deactivation of certain fuel tanks and fuel pumps, and placard installation. This new AD instead requires replacing the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly with a new part and doing repetitive inspections for continuity, resistance, and insulation resistance, and doing corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of failures of a certain fuel pump housing electrical connector. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct insulation resistance degradation and arcing in the potted backside of the electrical connector assembly of the fuel boost/ transfer pump housing, which could compromise its performance and cause an ignition source in the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-15-05, Amendment 39-15134 (72 FR 40216, July 24, 2007), and adding the following new AD: \n\n2011-11-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16704; Docket No. FAA- 2010-1044; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-033-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\n\t(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 6, 2011. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\n\t(b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-15-05, Amendment 39-15134. \n\nApplicability \n\n\n\t(c) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10- 40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F airplanes, certificated in any category. \n\nSubject \n\n\n\t(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel. \n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\n\t(e) This AD results from reports of failures of the fuel pump housing electrical connector having P/N 60-84355-1. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct insulation resistance degradation and arcing in the potted backside of the electrical connector assembly of the fuel boost/transfer pump housing, which could compromise its performance and cause an ignition source in the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. \n\nCompliance \n\n\n\t(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. \n\nInspection and Change \n\n\n\t(g) For all airplanes: Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, do an inspection of the fuel pump housing electrical connector to determine if part number (P/N) 60-84355-1 is installed. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the fuel pump housing electrical connector can be conclusively determined from that review. \n\t(h) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any airplane is determined to have fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84355-1: Within 10 months after the effective \n\n((Page 31464)) \n\ndate of this AD, do the actions in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated December 1, 2009; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, dated December 2, 2009; as applicable. \n\t(1) Replace the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84355-1 with new P/N 60-84351; or \n\t(2) Do the actions required by paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(ii) of this AD. \n\t(i) Using a digital multi-meter, do a continuity, resistance, and insulation resistance inspection from the terminal strip through the fuel boost/transfer pump; and all applicable corrective actions specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated December 1, 2009; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, dated December 2, 2009; as applicable. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. \n\t(ii) Within 12 months after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD: Replace the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84355-1 with a new fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60- 84351. \n\t(i) Before further flight after installing the new fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly, insert the applicable interim operating procedure regarding abnormal operations for failure of the fuel pump housing electrical connector into the Procedures section of the applicable Boeing airplane flight manual, in accordance with the applicable service information identified in Table 1 of this AD. \n\n\n\tTable 1--Service Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tBulletin-- Date-- To the-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boeing DC-10 Operations Bulletin January 25, 2010.............. Boeing DC-10 Flight Crew Operating Manual. \n\t2-001B. Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew January 25, 2010.............. Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew Operations Manual. \n\tOperations Manual Advisory \n\tBulletin 2-01B. Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew January 25, 2010.............. Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew Operations Manual. \n\tOperations Manual Advisory \n\tBulletin 2-05C. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\nRepetitiveInspections for P/N 60-84351 \n\n\n\t(j) Within 18 months after installing the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84351, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261 or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143: Do a continuity, resistance, and insulation resistance inspection from the terminal strip through the fuel boost/transfer pump, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated December 1, 2009; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, dated December 2, 2009; as applicable. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated December 1, 2009; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, dated December 2, 2009; as applicable. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(k)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Philip Kush, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5263; fax: 562-627-5210; e- mail: philip.kush@faa.gov. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(l) You must use the service information contained in table 2 of this AD, as applicable, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\n\n\tTable 2--All Material Incorporated by Reference ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \n\tDocument Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boeing Alert Service Bulletin December 1, 2009. \n\tDC10(dash)28A261. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin December 2, 2009. \n\tMD11(dash)28A143. Boeing DC-10 Operations Bulletin January 25, 2010. \n\t2(dash)001B to the Boeing DC-10 \n\tFlight Crew Operating Manual. Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew Operations January 25, 2010. \n\tManual Advisory Bulletin 2-01B to \n\tthe Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew \n\tOperations Manual. Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew Operations January 25, 2010. \n\tManual Advisory Bulletin 2-05C to \n\tthe Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew \n\tOperations Manual. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \n\n(The document number of Boeing DC-10 Operations Bulletin 2-001B is specified only onthe first page of the document.) \n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information contained in table 2 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846- 0001; telephone: 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax: 206-766-5683; e- mail: dse.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. \n\t(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material atan NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Discussion \n\n\n\tWe issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-15-05, amendment 39-15134 (72 FR 40216, July 24, 2007). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2010 (75 FR 68246). That NPRM proposed to require replacing the fuel pump housing electrical assembly with a new part and doing repetitive inspections for continuity, resistance, and insulation resistance, and doing corrective actions, if necessary. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tWe gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal and the FAA's response to each comment. \n\nRequest for Addition of Part Number \n\n\n\tFedEx requested that we add, in the header above the Summary and paragraphs (c), (e), and (f) of the proposed AD, the part number of the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly requiring replacement. FedEx stated that the change will clarify the AD and avoid unnecessary work and cost to the operators. \n\tWe partially agree with the commenter. We disagree with adding the part number of the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly requiring replacement to the header information, paragraph (c), and paragraph (f) of this AD because the affected part could be rotated onto any of the airplanes listed in the applicability. However, we agree that clarification of paragraph (h) of this AD (referred to as paragraph (g) in the NPRM) is needed. In order to comply with this AD, for all airplanes in the applicability it must be determined if the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having part number (P/ N) 60-84355-1 is installed. We have added paragraph (g) to specify the inspection to determine the part number. We have also added a reference of P/N 60-84355-1 to paragraph (h) of this AD for clarification. In addition, we have added a reference of P/N60-84355-1 to paragraph (e) of this AD for clarification. \n\n((Page 31463)) \n\nClarification of Paragraph (i) of This AD \n\n\n\tWe have revised paragraph (i) of this AD by replacing the phrase, "replacing the fuel pump electrical connector assembly as required by paragraph (g) of this AD'' with the phrase, "installing the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84351, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261 or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143,'' to clarify that P/N 60-84351 must be repetitively inspected after installation. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tWe reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously--and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\tWe also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tWe estimate that this AD affects 281 airplanes of U.S. registry. \n\tWe estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tNumber of U.S.- \n\tAction Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost \n\trate per hour airplanes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspection....................... Between 20 and 36 $85 $0.................. Between $1,700 and 281 Between $477,700 \n\tper inspection $3,060 per and $859,860 per \n\tcycle. inspection cycle. inspection cycle. Replacement...................... Up to 44............ 85 Up to $4,478........ Up to $8,218........ 281 Up to $2,309,258. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. \n\tWe are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in subtitle VII, part A, subpartIII, section 44701, "General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tWe have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Is not a "significant rule'' under DOTRegulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), \n\t(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.